The Chamber of Commerce announces picks in four races

October 27, 2006|by ANDREW SCHOTZ

The Hagerstown-Washington County Chamber of Commerce on Thursday announced its picks in four election races.

Governor: Robert Ehrlich, the Republican incumbent

U.S. Senate: Democrat Ben Cardin and Republican Michael Steele "scored comparably," the chamber decided. It wrote: "The Chamber feels that, though they would bring different strengths to the job, each candidate would serve the interests of business equally well in the United States Senate."

Washington County Commissioners: Republicans John F. Barr and James F. Kercheval and Democrats N. Linn Hendershot and Donna L. Brightman. Kercheval is an incumbent. Although there are five open commissioner seats, the chamber declined to endorse a fifth candidate. "Among the other six candidates, the Chamber felt that none represented the interests of the business community to sufficiently earn the fifth endorsement." The chamber said Republican John C. Munson, an incumbent, did not complete a questionnaire.

Brien Poffenberger, the chapter's president, said the board recommended picks to the Government Affairs Committee, which made its own recommendations. The Executive Committee then made the final choices.

Asked if chamber board member Art Callaham was involved in the endorsement of his wife, Ruth Anne Callaham, Poffenberger said Art Callaham is a nonvoting ex officio board member.

The chamber plans to announce endorsements in state senate and delegate races after its candidates forum Wednesday.

Although the chamber has had a written policy for years allowing it to endorse candidates, it hadn't done so in several years.

Forums to air again

People who missed the Oct. 18 and 19 candidate forums at Hagerstown Community College - which were shown live on Antietam Cable Television - still can see them on TV.

The forums will run back-to-back Nov. 5 from 7 to 9 p.m.

The first forum included candidates for Washington County Commissioners, sheriff and state's attorney.

The second forum had candidates for Washington County Board of Education and state delegate subdistricts 1C and 2C.

The second forum is scheduled to run on its own today at 8 p.m.

The rebroadcasts will be on Antietam Cable's channel 19.

The forums also are available through Antietam Cable's video on demand and as a podcast at www.antpod.com.